Police instructed to ensure security of women, children at puja mandaps

Dhaka District Superintendent of Police Shamima Akter has directed authorities to strengthen security and ensure round-the-clock monitoring at all puja mandaps in the district ahead of the Sharadiya Durga Puja.

She said maintaining normal law and order at puja mandaps is their priority. Police officials must maintain round-the-clock monitoring to prevent any untoward incident and ensure smooth celebration of the puja.

She issued the directive at an exchange meeting with Hindu religious leaders and Officers-in-Charge (OC) of all police stations in the district at the Dhaka Superintendent of Police office around noon on Sunday, September 27.

At the meeting, the Superintendent of Police said Durga Puja is one of the biggest festivals of religious harmony and amity. Police must remain on maximum alert so that no untoward situation is created centring the festival. The security situation of every puja mandap must be monitored regularly, and necessary security arrangements must be ensured in coordination with local puja celebration committees.

She directed police personnel assigned to each puja mandap to actively perform their duties and to identify important and risky locations and take advance preparations. She also said special attention must be given to the surroundings of the mandaps, entry and exit routes, parking arrangements and public gatherings.

The Superintendent of Police further said the safety of women, children and the elderly at puja mandaps must be given special importance. If any rumour, provocation or misleading information spreads on social media, it must be identified quickly and necessary action taken.

At the meeting, OCs of all police stations in the district were directed to review the overall security arrangements of the puja mandaps in their respective areas, maintain regular contact with the leaders of puja celebration committees, and work in coordination with local public representatives and concerned parties.

At that time, Hindu religious leaders presented their various views and suggestions on the security of puja mandaps, movement of vehicles and visitors, volunteer management and the overall law and order situation. The Superintendent of Police listened to their statements and assured them of taking necessary measures.

Additional Superintendent of Police of Dhaka district Md Tarikul Islam, along with senior police officials, OCs of various police stations and Hindu religious leaders, were present at the exchange meeting.